Treatment for Teeth Grinding – Bruxism

Teeth grinding, or bruxism, is a common sleep time habit of patients that can lead to tooth damage, headaches or pain of the jaw joint. With our dental treatments, grinding or clenching of the teeth can be alleviated with the use of an NTI (nociceptive trigeminal inhibition) Night Guard splint. The splint covers the front teeth and provides a protective gap between the upper and lower teeth so that grinding does not occur.The NTI is approved by the ADA (American Dental Association) for the treatment of migraine headaches and other symptoms commonly caused by nocturnal teeth grinding. Use of the NTI can prevent the damaging effects of teeth grinding by triggering a muscle relaxing reflex as the jaw muscles attempt to tighten while you sleep.

The NTI is approved by the ADA (American Dental Association) for the treatment of migraine headaches and other symptoms commonly caused by nocturnal teeth grinding. Use of the NTI can prevent the damaging effects of teeth grinding by triggering a muscle relaxing reflex as the jaw muscles attempt to tighten while you sleep.

Why do you Grind Your Teeth?

There are several possible causes for bruxism, so successful treatment must address the root cause to fully eliminate the effects of teeth grinding. Bruxism may be caused by stress, an abnormal bite, or sleep apnea. Your dentist can examine your mouth to identify any oral conditions that may be at the root of your teeth grinding.

Constant tooth grinding can result in loose or lost teeth which can lead to more extensive – and more expensive – oral problems. TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorders), for example, is a disorder of the jaw joint that causes severe pain in the hinge of the jaw, your face muscles, neck and shoulders. The effects of TMD can ultimately impact your speech, and make it difficult to chew or open your mouth.If you are having difficulty with teeth grinding, contact us today to schedule an appointment to see Dr. Lines or Dr. Stewart Anderson. Once the cause of your bruxism is identified, a more permanent treatment plan can be developed that will treat the source as well as the symptom. Together, you and our dental care professionals can formulate a treatment plan after a thorough examination.

If you are having difficulty with teeth grinding, contact us today to schedule an appointment to see Dr. Lines and Dr.Stewart Anderson. Once the cause of your bruxism is identified, a more permanent treatment plan can be developed that will treat the source as well as the symptom. Together, you and our dental care professionals can formulate a treatment plan after a thorough examination.